Is There a Way to Turn Up the Temperature on an Indoor Central Heat Unit?

Example of heating system with central unit and water heater

A central heat system provides heat to all the rooms in a house or building through a system of duct work and vents. In some instances radiators are used to flow hot water through a series of pipes. A boiler often is the source of the heat where hot water or a series of metal coils is heated and the heat is dispersed by system fans or water flow. The temperature can be increased both through a wall thermostat and through a central thermostat connected to the central heating unit itself.

Instructions

1. Find the thermostat control for the central heat. This may be a digital thermostat or a dial/lever thermostat.

2. Look for the "increase temp" button on the thermostat, which may be a +" on an arrow-shaped button. Push the button until the number on the screen is the desired temperature. Press "Hold" to keep it set at that temperature until you change it next. Or leave it so the display blinks "temporary" or "override" so that after a few hours the thermostat returns to it's programmed setting. For dial/lever thermostats turn or push the lever until the temperature number lined up with the marker or lever point matches the temperature you want.

3. Find the boiler, usually in the basement of the building. Look for a control knob labeled "thermostat" or "boiler thermostat." If it simply has "High" and "Low" settings set it to "High." If it is digital or has multiple number settings, turn it up to the next highest setting.

4. Go back to the wall thermostat and turn up the temperature to the desired level. Wait a few hours for the temperature to be reached.

Tips & Warnings

• In some instances the boiler controls the temperature of both the heating system and the water heater. Turning it too high could make the hot water in your home extremely hot and potentially burn someone using faucets or baths. If you are unsure if the boiler handles both, do not adjust the boiler thermostat without the help of an HVAC (heating and cooling) professional.

References

• Mike the Boiler Man: Central heat and boilers